Lymphatic Malformations in Children

Abstract

Lymphatic malformations present as a wide spectrum of lesions of the lymphatic system. Despite their benign nature, they can cause significant morbidity due to growth in and around critical structures. Only complete surgical resection has proven curative to date, but the morbidity of resection limits the ability to remove certain lesion in their entirety. Sclerotherapy has been successful in the reduction of size and symptoms of macrocystic lesions, while medical therapy has limited success in management of diffuse lesions. Morbidity of all interventions remains high and must always be weighed against goals of treatment. Surgical management of the classic posterior neck triangle cystic lymphatic malformation is detailed.